Short stories

Coffeeeeeee... and a dead brother

"You don't need a coffee to work out Maggie!" I called from the living room as I heard her rummaging around in the kitchen for the coffee we kept hidden from her for a reason. "If I don't have a coffee I will legitimately hurt someone, do you want to be a victim?" I scoffed and let my leg drop down and leaned forward, thumbing my page, putting my book on my lap and looking up at the entrance to the kitchen. "You are 5'2" woman, you slapped a mosquito once and it slapped you back, relax," I said with a soft smile at the playful banter. (Xavier's 5'6", this is back in high school) "Ugh!" She groaned and came stomping out. "Just take some vitamins," I offered and she glared at me. "I will fight you if you don't tell me where it is," she warned and I laughed. "Please! You're a tooth pick and who did dad train the most?" I countered and she growled. "Alright alright, that's enough you two," Our dad said as he walked out into the living room from the hallway, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're gonna wake up your mother if you keep this up," He said and we both recoiled away, scared shitless by the idea of waking mom. "Sorry Dad," we said in unison and I heard my watch go off. I quickly turned it off, put my book on the corner table, got up and grabbed my back pack that was already ready and was sitting at my feet by the couch. I made for the door only to get stopped by him. "Where do you think you're going?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. "Just to hang out with some friends, dad," I answered and paused, waiting for him to say something. "Fine whatever, just don't get into trouble." I pulled the door open with a small smile. "I won't dad," I half lied and walked out, shutting the door behind me and taking off down the side walk.

I panted as I ran into the alley to see Joshua standing there. "Hey man!" He called and I gave him a big smile as I waved. "So- what shit are we doing today?" I asked and he pulled out his phone. After a minute, he showed me his phone. The location was of a old abandoned building that was in ruins, like there were barely any walls on the thing. "We're going here," he said with a proud smirk on his face. "I told my dad I wouldn't get in trouble, if he finds out-" he stopped me, "He won't find out. As long as we stay hidden in the building and away from the walls, we should be fine." I rolled my eyes. "Whatever you say."

When we arrived, I hoisted the backpack up a bit on my shoulders and looked up at the building. From the looks of it, it used to be an old dorm building. "Wait- if these are dorm rooms then where is the school?" I asked, looking back at Joshua who was looking up at it. "It got demolished years ago," He answered without turning to me. I turned my body to face him. "But then why didn't they destroy this?" I asked and he glanced at me. "Some kid died in this place and the parents practically begged for them not to destroy this place," he said and I shuddered. He looked at me and chuckled. "Are you scared?" He asked in a surprised tone and I glared at him. "In your dreams, dumbass." He laughed and I just rolled my eyes. I loved his laugh, I couldn't really tell you why but I just did. It was always so filled with emotion even if he was just playing with me. I jerked back to reality when I noticed him snapping his fingers in front of me. "You alright man?" He asked and I shook my head lightly before nodding. "Yep!" I reassured him and he gave me a worried look before turning back to the building. "What all did you bring?" He asked and I put my hands in my pockets. "Figured something like this would happen so: Two Flashlights- since from what I can see you didn't bring anything- "Hey!" a crowbar "Where the hell did you get that?!" none of your business. Two big bags of trail mix and two water bottles. Pliers, a hatchet, and two masks," I finished labeling them off and glanced at Joshua. "Why masks?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Dust, smoke, chemicals. Who knows what's in there," I said and he bobbed his head to the side. "Fair point," he mumbled before taking the hair tie off of his wrist and reaching back to pull back his shoulder long light blue hair with highlights of darker blue through it to give it a shading look. "What about first aid?" He asked and I nodded. "Always." He huffed and walked forward, hoping the fence easily as I followed closely.